The best way to annoy your teen? Ask for help

File photo: More than a fifth (22 percent) say they are mortified when their mothers and fathers try to kiss them in front of their friends.

London - For many parents trying to figure out how to use the latest technology, there’s only one solution – ask your teenager.

But it appears youngsters resent having to help, with 62 percent saying it is their biggest irritation.

Having to do household tasks is second on their list of life’s complaints, while just over a third say their largest gripe is their parents kissing in front of them.

More than a fifth (22 percent) say they are mortified when their mothers and fathers try to kiss them in front of their friends.

Parents are aggravated by their children’s reluctance to help out around the house, with 53 percent annoyed by toys being scattered all over the place.

A total of 41 percent of mothers and fathers say they resent being the only one to change the toilet roll. The teens also say they hate it when their parents are overly friendly with their schoolmates, or ask them about boyfriends and girlfriends.

The survey of 2 000 people for laundry product Surcare found that juggling family and social life, and paying double for a trip away during the school holidays topped the list of parents’ gripes.

Other annoyances included "dirty handprints and toys all over the house", "having to be a taxi service" and "making things for projects and events".

But it appears the life of a child is not as simple as one might think. For six- to 12-year-olds, the top grievance is not being allowed to play out late.

Three in five complain they are not allowed to watch TV all the time, while others say that being made to eat vegetables is irritating.